We don’t need to fear science — including the social sciences. Science is based on curiosity, hypothesis and observation of the way things are. In other words, it’s about truth, and we should never fear seeking truth — even if that means continually updating and expanding our current level of insight and understanding. We need to develop a way of reading the Bible that lines up with reality, a way of practicing our faith that fits with the full depths... Read more
Jim West drew attention today to the fact that Phil Long will be hosting the next Biblical Studies Carnival, featuring posts from this month, July 2012, and has asked for submissions. Phil has also taken it upon himself to take up Jim Linville’s fallen mantle, and organize the upcoming Biblical Studies Carnivals, since Jim’s blog has, alas…how shall I put it? Ah, I know… Mate, that blog wouldn’t “voom” if you put four million volts through it! It’s bleedin’ demised! It’s... Read more
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There have been several excellent books in the genre “A year of” doing this or that: A. J. Jacobs’ The Year of Living Biblically: One Man’s Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possibleand Rachel Held Evans’ A Year of Biblical Womanhood: How a Liberated Woman Found Herself Sitting on Her Roof, Covering Her Head, and Calling Her Husband Master immediately come to mind. If I were to write a book of this sort, I think it would... Read more
Now that I have finished at least a still provisional but nevertheless complete translation of the chapters in the “Drasha d-Yahia” (which itself might be better rendered The Teaching of John rather than The Book of John) about the life and teaching of John the Baptist, I wanted to share links to them here. 18. Portents of the Birth of John the Baptist 19. A Garment from the First Life 20. John Discusses Halos with the Sun 21. No One Compares to... Read more
Another symphony from my favorite composer, Kurt Atterberg, has been shared on YouTube. If you are inclined to let the title guide you as the music evokes images in your mind, keep in mind that Atterberg was Swedish, and so the West Coast in the title is that of Sweden and not the United States. Of course, those who know either or both west coasts better than I do may have an opinion about whether the music fits either better... Read more
Two humorous images that appeared on other blogs this morning provide helpful fodder for thinking about theology. The first, from David Hayward, reminds us that the only legitimate use for theological language is as a pointer towards a transcendent reality. The more weight you give to the actual words, understood not as sacraments or symbols or poetry but as literally descriptive, the more those words will function as a ball and chain, pulling you down rather than lifting you up.... Read more
A piece of news has been getting attention today, about a study of classic myths, some of which we know from archaeological evidence were based on real people or events. The study suggests that the degree to which the relationships in the story mirror real ones – including those one can observe today in social media like Facebook and Twitter – corresponds to the degree of real evidence for the myths being based on historical people. Should this be applied... Read more
There will be a live discussion here at Patheos from 2-3pm Eastern Time, with Tim Stafford, about his book Miracles: A Journalist Looks at Modern Day Experiences of God’s Power. I reviewed the book on my blog a few days ago. Click through to join the discussion! Read more
It is hard to get a sense of what the prophets of ancient Israel might have sounded like or seemed like when delivering their messages. Scholars often make comparisons to poets. The above video seems to me to catch something of their spirit in an actual live poetic performance in the present day – the anger, the condemnation of hypocrisy, the poetic form. What do you think? HT Hemant Mehta Read more
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